I am looking at buying a 1990 Gulfstream Friendship on a Spartan chassis. It needs a lot of work but if the price is right it maybe worth while. It has delaminated body panels from water in all the wheel well areas. Also looking at a 1998 Rexhall Anthem unit on a Spartan chassis with disc brakes. Both units have Cummins engines and Allison transmissions. I have been reading about quality issues with the Rexhall units. Being new to the game, I don't whant to make a bad purchase and would appreciate any input on these to coaches or perhaps a btter brand to go with.

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Thanks for the reply. Yes, the delam is a biggest concern with this motorhome. The panels have plywood backing overlaid with metal and this is what is coming away. My thoughts were to cut out the plywood and rebuild the panels with an insert made up of a composite material such as fiber glass and styrofoam or plywood and fiberglass. I was even tempted to call Gulfstream and have a talk to their tech department.
Once again, thank you.

Having spent the last couple of years restoring a 1990 Gulfstream, I would suggest you keep saving up money and keep shopping! I only paid $3800. for my 30' Sun Clipper, the roof was rotten, the floor was rotten and all the appliances were shot. I've fixed the entire exterior, roof, re-laminated the interior walls and put down a bamboo floor. I'm planning on all new appliances. So far so good, but every time I open someplace on the bus I haven't touched, it's gone! My nagging fear is while on the road, one good bump and the entire back section will collapse. There are loads of newer-better busses for sale for not a lot more money.

Now that I've looked at a Friendship, if it's built like mine the only delamination is in the wheel wells. Everything above the bus bed is fiberglass and styrofoam. I replaced my delaminating plywood with sheet foam insulation, it's non-load bearing. I also covered the exterior seam with diamond plate.

PeterS,
Thanks for the valuable input. The Gulfstream has 76,000 miles on it and a 4 speed Allison transmission. The owner is asking $15,000-$17,000 which as far as I am concerned is over the top for the condition of the unit I was thinking of $8,000-$10,000. The interior needs to be refurbished and exterior paint is rough. It is case of time versus money and what do you end up with after all the work. Yes, the only delam is in the wheel wells. I was going for either stainless steel or like you, diamond plate. I'm guessing that if you knew then what you know now you would not have taken on the task of rebuilding the Gulf Stream Clipper. We are going to keep looking for another Diesel class A and I'll put this one on the back burner for more research. I did find a nice Rexhall Anthem unit for $25,000. Has few small issues but I can deal with those.
Martin